The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-Pakistan

A special meeting of the Management Committee of the Livestock Business Facilitation Desk of the Dairy Science Park was held at Peshawar, chaired by the Mr Arif Yousaf, Special Assistant (Law) to Chief Minister KP. The meeting was attended by Prof M Subhan Qureshi, Dean Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Vet Science, the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Chairmen Prof Sarzamin Khan and Prof Umer Sadique; Dr Muhammad Shafique Mhil Student, Mr Kamran Khan Chief Executive Officer LBF Desk, Mr Zafar Paracha, University Feed Mill partner, Engr Irfan ul Haque Qureshi LBF Desk Manager, Mr Intizar Khalil PTI representative, Mr Tahir Sajjad Dairy Farmer, Dr Saeed Ahmad, Sarhad Poultry Association, Mr M Shahsawar Dairy Farmer, Mr Hafeezur Rahman Sarhad Dairy Farmers Association, Dr Farzand Ali Jan Business Consultant, Mr Gul Kiaz Bank of Khyber and Mr Shahzad Jamshed Munir Meat Company. Remaining members of the Committee could not attend due to their pre-engagements.

Prof. M Subhan Qureshi welcomed the Chief Guest and the participants for gracing the occasion with their presence and briefly described the background of the Dairy Science Park. Sixteen years back Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan Abbasi, Ex-Chief Minister and present Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa called upon Prof Qureshi, in response to his press statement highlighting the export potential of the livestock sector of the province. An investment conference was held during 2005 along with Doodh Mela and two international workshops were held during 2011 and 2013 attracting scientists, students, faculty members, farmers, investors and development practitioners from inland, Afghanistan and Turkey. A presentation was made before the KP Chamber of Commerce and Industries resulting in constitution of the Standing Committee on Livestock. Another presentation was made before the Minister Local Government KP leading to allocation of Rs.250 million for establishment of Peshawar Meat Company under supervision of a five members committee comprising the Special Secretary LGR&D, Director Meat Project, Deputy Commissioner Peshawar and Mardan and Dean FAHVS. The Minister for Agriculture, Sardar Akramullah Khan Gandhapur inaugurated the Livestock Business Facilitation Desk of the Dairy Science Park. At University level a poultry research and development program was run under a revolving fund and self employment models were developed for quails, broilers and rabbit farming, in addition to production of high quality research papers, under funded projects of ALP-PARC and PSF. Pharmacy Shop was established under University Veterinary Hospital in addition to zoonotic control program in collaboration with the Relief International and fellow Universities livestock department.

The Minister was briefed about the proposal activities under the LBF Desk, like development and replication of farming and marketing models. The legal barriers in development and sustainability of dairy and livestock farming were reviewed. The inputs of farms are procured under free market pieces, with no control by the Government, However, the prices of milk and meat are under Government control. It has put a tremendous pressure on the livestock and dairy farmers and most of the dairy farmers have to wind up their business and opt for alternate business. The individuals and groups involved in meat production have to make preparation and investment for export of meat; however, the administrative authority of the District Officers or the courts of law frequently impose ban on the export, which cause a threat to the profitability, smooth running and viability of the meat production and marketing setup. The consumers have got the fundamental right of access to clean and hygienic food, however, the get the meat exposed to various threats at farm and slaughter house level, which add toxins, adulterants and pathogens to the food chain and such food becomes unfit for human consumption; however, the consumers, especially the people from lower socio economic class have got not option, but to consume such foodstuff.

The Minister commended the gathering and the enthusiasm of the participants from private and public sector and said that the present government is focusing on public private partnership. He appreciated the concept of the Livestock Business Facilitation Desk of the Dairy Science Park, which is in line with the theme of the present government. Involvement of the educated youth of the province in livestock related activities will definitely lead to generation of self employment, production of clean food for the people of the province as well as export, especially export of Halal meat to the Muslim consumers around the world.

The Minister directed that a Committee may be constituted soon to provide a legislative framework for generating self employment for the educated youth, protecting the basic right of the consumers to clean and hygienic food and producing surpluses for export to support the provincial economy. He commended the role of the private sector and supported the plan of Vice Chancellor and Dean of the University of Agriculture Peshawar to enhance their role in provincial development through Academic Component of the Dairy Science Park.